China's tourism sector sees surge in int'l visitors amid expanded visa-free access

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠China's expanded visa-free policies and gestures of hospitality are sparking a surge in global interest, with travelers flocking to the country to experience its unique culture and attractions.

Data from China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Tuesday showed that China recorded 610 million entries and exits in 2024, representing an increase of 43.9 percent from the 2023 figure. More than 20 million inbound trips by foreigners were made visa-free, a year-on-year increase of 112.3 percent, data showed. 

Various travel videos tagged with "China Travel" on global social media, garnered up to 1 billion views in 2024. This surge is attributed to China's ongoing introduction of 18 measures to facilitate foreign visitors, including the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, visa-free entry for foreign tourist groups arriving by cruise, and the expansion of visa-free entry for citizens from 59 countries to south China's Hainan Province.

"I'm studying [in China], so I can't go back to South Korea at will. But with this policy, my family and friends can come to China to see me whenever they want," said a student from South Korea.

There is a trend among South Korean tourists to visit the famous beer city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province. 

Data from the Shandong Border Inspection Station shows that the average number of inbound South Korean travelers per week has increased 8.5 percent year on year. In 2024, the number of inbound travelers exceeded 5.65 million in the province, up 89.4 percent year on year.

In 2024, 4.56 million foreign travelers entered and exited Shanghai, which is double the total for 2023. Among them, the number of visa-free entrants reached 1.67 million, 4.7 times that of the entire year of 2023. Shanghai's popular scenic spots and districts are crowded with foreign tourists flying in for short trips. 

Driven by the new policy, inbound tourism at Beijing's ports also remains robust. Statistics show that nearly a month after the new policy was implemented, the number of inbound foreign travelers is 1.7 times that of the same period last year.

"We really appreciate the free visa that the government of China is offering us. It's a very good opportunity to know many things here in Beijing," said a Brazilian tourist.

Authorities in major cities are continuously optimizing the travel experience for overseas visitors by setting up foreign language signs, providing travel information, simplifying mobile payment processes, and implementing no-reservation policies at more attractions.

Relevant reports show that as the number of inbound tourists to China and their spending are rapidly increasing, the satisfaction of foreign tourists is also steadily improving. Convenient channels for traveling to China not only promote people-to-people exchanges and cultural interaction between China and foreign countries, but also inject new momentum into tourism.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun China said at the press conference in Beijing on Tuesday that China warmly welcomes tourists from around the world to visit the country and experience the Spring Festival culture and vibrant festive celebrations with the Chinese people.

China's tourism sector sees surge in int'l visitors amid expanded visa-free access

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance with higher standards and more concrete measures.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing.

Xi urged efforts to confine power to an institutional cage in a more well-conceived and effective manner, and press ahead with the anti-corruption fight with a clearer understanding and stronger resolve, thus providing a strong guarantee for achieving the goals and tasks of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Xi pointed out that in 2025, the CPC Central Committee had intensified efforts to improve Party conduct, uphold integrity and combat corruption, achieving notable results. Xi said efforts were made to maintain a tough stance against corruption and eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption.

Xi emphasized that implementing the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee is a fundamental requirement for upholding its authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials should implement the decisions and plans of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee with concrete actions, he said.

Xi noted that confining power to an institutional cage is an important task in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance.

He stressed that all are equal before the law and regulations, that compliance with them admits no privilege, and that enforcement of the law and regulations allows no exception.

Xi underscored that the fight against corruption is a major struggle that the Party cannot afford to lose, and must never lose.

He said that the current anti-corruption situation remains grave and complex, and that the task of eliminating the soil and conditions breeding corruption remains arduous. Xi added that it is essential to maintain a firm stance to leave corrupt officials with no place to hide.

Stressing the need to stay attuned to new trends and features of corruption, Xi urged efforts to innovate methods and approaches, promptly detect and accurately identify corrupt practices, and effectively address all forms of corruption, so as to continuously enhance the penetrating power of anti-corruption efforts.

He also urged strengthening coordination among all forms of oversight to advance integrated governance through whole-process collaboration, and called for sustained efforts to forge a loyal, upright and responsible disciplinary inspection and supervision force that dares to and is good at fighting against corruption.

Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting.

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. On Monday afternoon, on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI, Li also delivered a work report.

Xi urges advancing Party self-governance with higher standards, more concrete measures